Accused Killer Wants Insanity Defense In Family Massacre Trial

POLK COUNTY, FL — An insanity defense could be considered for the accused killer of a Polk County family of four, and injuring an 11-year-old girl, WFLA reported.

Bryan Riley wanted to save an imaginary woman from suicide and sex trafficking in the family's Lakeland home, and he accused the 11-year-old girl's parents of child sex trafficking. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Riley was under a delusion, and the family had never been involved in that type of activity. The family didn't know Riley. He randomly stopped at the front of their house Sept. 5, and asked about a woman named Amber, investigators said. He was told they didn't know anyone named Amber. Hours later, he is accused of leaving his Brandon home where he lived with his girlfriend and returning to the Lakeland home where he allegedly shot them.

Riley's lawyer told a Polk County judge Monday additional time is required to obtain details about the suspect's mental health by hiring mental health experts before a decision is made.

A lawyer for Bryan Riley told a Polk County judge Monday more time is needed to gather details of Riley’s past and hire mental health experts before a decision is made on his defense.

He faces 18 counts in the case, according to detectives.

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